Medical dilator system

ABSTRACT

A medical dilating system includes a dilator device configured to penetrate and provide an opening in tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, first and second ends, and an interior wall defining an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end to one or more openings in a tapered tip at the first end. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface and an interior wall defining an open interior volume extending from an opening of a first end of the sleeve to a second end of the sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include a first sleeve positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/598,986, entitled “Medical Dilator System or Dilator Device,” filed Nov. 14, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/736,661, entitled “Medical Dilator System or Dilator Device,” filed Nov. 14, 2005, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to medical devices and more particularly, relates to a medical device system for retraction of tissues and insertion of instruments in connection with surgeries.

2. Discussion of the Background

Surgery often requires making openings in a patient. Current techniques often use invasive techniques which result in trauma to the patient during the surgery of the patient. Therefore, there exists a need for a minimally invasive system which reduces trauma during surgery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a medical dilating system that includes a dilator device having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip configured to penetrate and provide an opening in the tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a medical dilating system for penetrating from the surface of a tissue to a desired depth in the tissue to provide an opening in the tissue for use in surgery. The medical dilating system includes a dilator device and a plurality of sleeves. The dilator device has an exterior surface and an elongated shape with a first end, a body, and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip. The body includes depth indicators to assist a user in determining a depth of penetration of the dilator device into the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. The plurality of sleeves each has an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for penetrating and providing an opening in the tissue of a patient using a dilating medical dilating system that includes a dilator device and a plurality of sleeves. The dilator device includes an exterior surface having one or more depth indicators, a tapered end configured to penetrate and provide the opening in the tissue of the patient, and a second end. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves includes an elongated shape with an exterior surface having one or more depth indicators, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The method includes positioning the dilator device in the tissue of the patient, adjusting a depth of penetration of the dilator device in the tissue using the depth indicators of the dilator device, positioning the internal wall of a first one of the plurality of sleeves substantially around the external surface of the first one of the plurality of sleeves, and adjusting a depth of penetration of the first one of the plurality of sleeves in the tissue using the depth indicators of the first one of the plurality of sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator placed through the cerebral of a patient according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a picture of a medical dilator device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described.

The medical dilator system is designed to be used as a minimally invasive system (MIS) during the surgery of a patient. In operation, the medical dilator system is used to create and dilate an opening in the patient. For instance, the medical dilator system may be used for, but is not limited to, microscopic and endoscopic surgeries.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator system 10 is shown. The medical dilator system 10 includes a medical dilator 12, and one or more elongated sleeves 24, 28 and 32 of different sizes. Each elongated sleeve having openings on both ends and a hollow interior 26, 30 and 34 extending therethrough. The medical dilator 12 includes an elongated member 14 having a tapered end 18. The one or more elongated sleeves 24, 28 and 32 are each configured with hollow interiors 26, 30 and 34, each successively larger.

In one embodiment, a first sleeve 24 is configured such that it may be slid around the medical dilator 12, a second sleeve 28 may be slid around the first sleeve 24, and a third sleeve 32 may be slid around the second sleeve 28. This process is repeated with a fewer or greater number of sleeves until the desired dilation is achieved. This allows a small hole to be created through which a biopsy or resection can be performed. For instance, a hole of about 1 cm in diameter may be created. FIG. 3 further shows a picture of a medical dilator device 12 according to the present invention.

In one possible embodiment, the medical dilator 12 includes an opening at an end opposite the tapered end 18 and a hollow interior 23 extending through at a least a portion of the medical dilator 12 to one or more holes 20 extending along a portion of the tapered end. In this arrangement, the one or more holes 20 and the hollow interior 23 are configured such that fluid may flow through the holes 20 and hollow interior 23 and egress through the end of the medical dilator 12. Such fluids, including, but are not limited to, cerebrospinal fluid or cyst fluid, can egress through the end of the dilator 12.

Optionally, the medical dilator system includes one or more exterior depth markings 22 that indicate the depth that the dilator 12 has been placed within the patient 36. The depth markings 22 may be in any measurement unit, including, but not limited to, centimeters and inches.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator 12 placed through the cerebral 38 of a patient 36 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the medical dilator 12 is slowly inserted into the cerebral 38 of the patient 36. Although the medical dilator 12 is shown placed through the cerebral 38 of a patient 36, it is not limited to such use and may be effectively used throughout the body of the patient 36 where a dilation is required. For example, in some embodiments, the medical dilator 12 may be positioned at or adjacent a tumor or lesion.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. A medical dilating system for creating and dilating an opening in a tissue of a brain of a patient during surgery, comprising: a dilator device having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip configured to penetrate and provide the opening in the tissue of the patient, and wherein the dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings along a side portion of the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device, wherein the dilator device is operable to allow a liquid to flow from one or more of the openings along the side portion of the tapered tip, through the open interior volume of the dilator device to the opening of the second end of the dilator device; and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue, each of the plurality of sleeves having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve, wherein the plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve.
 2. The medical dilating system of claim 1, wherein the open interior volume of each of the plurality of sleeves substantially extends from the opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to an opening of the second end of the respective sleeve.
 3. The medical dilating system of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the dilator device includes one or more depth indicators configured to assist a user in determining a depth of penetration of the dilator device in the tissue.
 4. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the exterior surface of one or more of the plurality of sleeves includes one or more depth indicators configured to assist a user in determining a depth of penetration of the dilator device in the tissue.
 5. The medical dilating system of claim 4, wherein the one or more depth indicators of one or more of the plurality of sleeves extend substantially around the exterior surface of the one or more of the plurality of sleeves.
 6. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the one or more depth indicators of the plurality of sleeves comprises measurements in centimeters.
 7. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the one or more depth indicators of the plurality of sleeves comprises measurements in inches.
 8. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the tissue is brain tissue.
 9. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the dilating device is positioned at or adjacent a tumor.
 10. The medical dilating system of claim 3, wherein the dilating device is positioned at or adjacent a lesion.
 11. The medical dilating system of claim 1, wherein the opening of the second end has a circular cross-section.
 12. The medical dilating system of claim 11, wherein the circular cross-section of the opening of the second end has a diameter greater than or equal to half of a diameter defined by the exterior surface of the second end of the dilator device.
 13. The medical dilating system of claim 11, wherein the circular cross-section of the opening of the second end has a diameter less than or equal to half of a diameter defined by the exterior surface of the second end of the dilator device.
 14. A medical dilating system for penetrating from the surface of a tissue of a brain of a patient to a desired depth in the tissue to create and dilate an opening in the tissue for use in surgery, the medical dilating system comprising: a dilator device having an exterior surface and an elongated shape with a first end, a body, and a second end, wherein the first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip, and the body includes depth indicators to assist a user in determining a depth of penetration of the dilator device into the tissue, wherein the dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings along a side portion of the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device, wherein the dilator device is operable to allow a liquid to flow from one or more of the openings along the side portion of the tapered tip, through the open interior volume of the dilator device to the opening of the second end of the dilator device; and a plurality of sleeves each having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve, wherein the plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve. 